First responders recover the body of the diver who drown on Sunday
TOWN OF SOUTHEAST – The body of a New Jersey man, who went scuba
diving in the old Tilly Foster mine in the Town of Southeast on Sunday,
was recovered on Monday.
Robert Thomas, 48, of Jersey City, was said to be an accomplished diver
who has been to the old mine shaft before.
Members of a State Police dive team, using sophisticated sonar and camera
equipment, located Thomas’ body in 171 feet of water. The body was
removed from the mine by authorities.
Thomas was at the mine with two diving friends – the male friend
dove in about an hour after victim; the female stayed on shore.
Preliminary reports indicate Thomas may have become entangled in wires
or cables at the bottom of the flooded mine shaft, which is filled with
water ranging in depths from 175 to 600 feet. The bottom is littered with
wrecked cars and trucks, old mining equipment and other debris.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of Thomas’
death.
